LAWRENCE, Kansas – Omaha softball fell to Kansas 5-0 in the final game of the Jayhawk Invitational on Sunday. The Mavericks managed only two hits on the afternoon thanks to a strong outing from the Jayhawk's Andie Formby.
Omaha dropped to 11-15 overall, while the Jayhawks improved to 15-9.
The Mavericks had the first scoring opportunity of the afternoon in the top of the second. Leading off the inning, Lizzie Noble was hit by a pitch and moved to second when the shortstop booted Kourtney Pock's grounder. Kelly Pattison advanced both runners with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. Formby was able to settle down and struck out the next two Maverick batters.
Kanas put two runners on base in the bottom of the inning, but Omaha reliever Abbie Clanton was able to pitch out of trouble.
KU opened the scoring in the bottom of the third. Shannon McGinley opened the frame with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Chaley Brickley hit an infield single to bring up Daniella Chavez who hit a three-run homer to right center. The Jayhawks loaded the bases with two outs, but Clanton was able to get out of the inning without further damage.
Campbell Ditto led off the top of the fourth with a single and moved to second on a ground out. Pattison walked giving Omaha two runners on base, but Formby induced a fielder's choice to get out of the inning.
The first three Jayhawk batters reached base to start the bottom of the sixth. Taylor McElhaney lifted a sacrifice fly to center field allowing one run to score. A McGinley single to center loaded the bases for the second time in the inning. Brickley worked a two-out walk to drive in the second run of the inning to make the score 5-0.
Sydney Hames opened the sixth with a single to center, but was forced out at second when Ditto hit into a fielder's choice. Pock walked to give Omaha two runners on base with two outs, but once again Formby was able to work around the danger.
After a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth inning, Formby retired Omaha in order in the top of the seventh to clinch the win for KU.
Ditto and Hames each had singles for the Mavericks. Pattison also reached via walk.
Laura Roecker started the game and pitched one inning walking three. Clanton relieved Roecker in the second and pitched the final five innings. She allowed five runs on 10 hits, while striking out two. Clanton is now 4-6 on the year.
The Mavericks return to the diamond on Wednesday, March 16 against No. 23 Nebraska. First pitch from Bowlin Stadium is set for 5 p.m. The game can be seen by viewers who have BTN Plus. Live stats will be available on OMavs.com.
